People or Pawns?

Drivers pulling up at the Brandon and Featherston Street lights last Thursday stared in wonder at a group of about 30 picketers outside Rod Weir and Co's auction rooms. Their curiosity was satisfied when picketers handed them leaflets explaining what was happening.

Students and Tenants' Protection Association members were picketing the auction of three flat properties in Kelburn. TPA opposes the present system in which tenants can be bought and sold with a house. They can be evicted on the new landlord's whim. A house advertised as 'a desirable property with substantial rents possible after up-grading' which translated means 'boot the tenants out and make a fat profit'.

Minister of Housing Fraser said the government could not intervene to protect the Kelburn tenants, or any other tenants. TPA wants the public to be aware of the plight of tenants who are used as pawns in the property speculator's game.

During the picket some landlord's running dogs on the third floor of the building poured hot liquid onto the demonstrators below.